SB 5894, which makes changes to the firefighters’ pension levy, passed the Legislature after initially being held up when the Senate refused to concur on House amendments. The bill ended up passing after an additional amendment made at the request of the bill sponsor, Sen. Braun (R–Chehalis).
Approximately 40 cities and towns are eligible to impose the levy under RCW 41.16.060. Municipalities may impose a pension levy rate up to $0.225 per $1,000 of assessed value. The original purpose of the tax was to cover the costs of pre-LEOFF firefighter pensions provided by individual cities. The existing statute allows the levy revenue to be used for those pension costs as well as for other municipal purposes if the pension obligations are met.
The version of the bill that passed the Legislature:
- Clarifies that cities may continue to impose the levy even if all pre-LEOFF beneficiaries are deceased;
- Requires that, if the levy is continued, the revenue must first be used to cover medical benefits for LEOFF 1 retirees and then for other municipal purposes; and
- Clarifies that the levy expires when there are no longer any LEOFF 1 retiree medical obligations.
The bill now goes to the Governor for consideration.